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Eating out

London is foodie heaven. From Turkish to Tapas, street food to steakhouse, there is a wealth of options to suit all tastes and budgets. Variety is the spice of life, and Covent Garden is the place to go if you like a wide range of different types of food. From pop-up BBQ and burger stalls, to Japanese, Spanish and Peruvian restaurants, there is enough to keep even the most discerning foodie happy.

Borough Market

Another culinary highlight of London is the Borough Market, London's oldest food market. It is an excellent (if pricey) source of fresh produce. From fishmongers to artisan bakers, traders sell their wares from traditional market stalls which are a riot of colours and smells. If your budget is tight, Borough Market is still well worth a visit to try the free samples on offer. TimeOut London has compiled an ultimate guide to eating in the city to help you navigate the extensive culinary options available.

Nightlife and entertainment

London's nightclub scene, like its bar and pub scene, is incredibly varied and caters for pretty much all tastes and preferences. Design my night has a comprehensive and searchable list of nightclubs in London to help you plan your perfect night out. From small independent music venues dotted around areas like Camden and Brixton, right up to the O2 Arena, London has a lot to offer fans of live music. Whatever the day of the week, there is sure to be something going on in London to keep every music entertained. If your tastes are slightly more classical, London is home to five permanent symphony orchestras and many iconic classical music venues such as the Albert Hall, Wigmore Hall and the Royal Opera House.

Bars and pubs

From swanky rooftop bars with City views to quaint, traditional style pubs, London has a full spectrum of drinking establishments to suit every taste. If it's a quiet drink that you're after, then Hampstead and Highgate to the north may suit you. But if you fancy a party, then there is no better place to experience London after dark than Soho. If you would like to try something different then why not give one of London's many themed pubs a go? From American prohibition era to Arabian nights and 90s kitsch to wonderland, there are an ever-growing number of themed bars in the city offering new and exciting experiences. Design my night has compiled a list of some of the best themed pubs to pique your interest.

Parks & Gardens

London may be a bustling centre of commerce and enterprise, but it is also one of the greenest cities in the world. With more than 3,000 parks, gardens and green spaces to discover there is plenty of opportunity to escape the crowds and find your own grassy spot to relax. TimeOut has produced an Outdoor London guide showcasing the best open-air activities that the city has to offer. Including a guide to all the major parks it also lists the best hidden gems, secret spots and some more unusual suggestions such as urban beaches and city farms.

Theatre, opera and ballet

Sometimes referred to as the capital of culture, London is renowned for its creativity, arts and music. From live music performances to world-class theatre productions, there are options to suit every taste and interest. London's West End is a world famous hub for performing arts and hosts many critically acclaimed theatrical and musical productions. Here you can catch long running shows like Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera or The Woman in Black as well as any number of new productions. London Theatre provides an online guide to what's on, as well as shows that are opening soon. Away from the bright lights of Drury Lane and Shaftsbury Avenue, there are plenty of smaller theatres putting on quirky shows from independent production companies. Recommended venues include the Pleasance Theatre, Southwark Playhouse and Theatre 503.

Last updated: 07/09/2017